The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has denied and condemned reports doing the rounds, linking it with some individuals allegedly selling personal information of victims, including Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and the National Identity Number (NIN), to Fintech firms.
In a statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, on Sunday, NIMC said it will not be held “liable for the sharing of personal data”.
“The National Identity Management Commission has noted with serious concern the recent statement on Nigerians selling their personal information, including that of the National Identification Number (NIN), attributed to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
“The statement by EFCC that ” this fraud scheme is largely driven by an army of young Nigerians offering a paltry payment of between N1500 and N2000 to their victims to make them surrender a copy of their personal information details to them and sell the same information to some Fintech Institutions for about N5000” is not only of serious security concern but of grave consequences on the NIN holders.
“The NIMC wishes to state clearly that it will not be held responsible for any personal information shared by an individual directly or by proxy for the purpose of financial gain or inducement,” the statement wrote in part.
The reaction comes after the EFCC, on Friday, disclosed the sale of personal information details of victims’ BVN and NIN to some Fintech institutions allegedly for about ₦5000. The EFCC had emphasised that the large-scale fraud, which is currently under investigation, is being carried out by the affected youths.
The NIMC has repeatedly informed Nigerians not to disclose their NIN to any unauthorised individual or organisation.
The NICM said equally of note was that any NIN presented to access services must be duly verified before granting such services.
It urged the general public to download the NINAuth App on either Apple iOS or the Google Play Store to enjoy seamless benefits, including but not limited to protection and security of the NIN, the power to control personal information on the NIN, and other benefits.
